These may be some famous last words here – but we may as well blow off all the predictions about the worst El Niño in 50 years. It’s almost April already, and events like these start to wind down in the middle of May anyway. More important, no storms mean no gigrundous waves clattering against the ocean-facing windows at The Marine Room these days. That’s one of the unspoken draws to the eatery – and it looks like Easter Sunday, March 27, won’t be featuring a physical statement by the Guest of Honor. Instead, the renowned eatery has a serious holiday brunch buffet for ya, featuring two courses and breakfast fare to die for. There’s something very Easter-sounding, for example, about “lemon poppy muffins,” first among nine bakery items – from there, you have your choice of first-course stuff like cherrywood pastrami smoked salmon and something called a global cheese board. That oughta tide you over until course two, which includes eggs Benedict, seafood crepes and farmers market spring vegetables (10 entries in all). The cost is $68 per person, which is pretty competitive considering all you get. Call (855) 238-9063 or see marineroom.com for more – and be advised that this restaurant isn’t the only one that thinks as much of the holiday as you do. Like Duke’s La Jolla, where the fun starts at 11 a.m. Duke’s, as you know, is named for the legendary Duke Kahanamoku, an Olympic swimmer who’s regarded as the father of modern surfing – and while water sports isn’t exactly top of mind on Easter, Duke’s basically doesn’t care what anybody says. Along with coconut shrimp croquettes, kalbi short-rib tacos and other plate-lunch specials, the restaurant will have an Easter egg hunt, face painting and custom balloon animals for the kids. Reserve a table by calling (858) 454-5888 or see dukeslajolla.com. La Valencia Hotel hasn’t forgotten about the kids or their parents either – in fact, we thought the better of printing the venue’s entire Easter agenda for fear of running out of room. The best we can tell you is that you won’t go hungry amid the roster of dishes, like omelettes to order, a sushi bar, honey mustard-glazed ham, prime rib and an assortment of spring sweets. While you’re busy with all that, a visit from the Easter bunny will occupy the kids as he squires them through an egg hunt in the hotel garden. For more, call (858) 454-0711 or see lavalencia.com. The Cottage has a brunch every Sunday as it is, and they’ll be modifying that menu accordingly for the 27th. In fact, you can get an early start on the holiday here, as it will open at 7:30 a.m. – as a matter of fact, maybe you’d better, because The Cottage has served a wonderful breakfast to the neighborhood forever. The bacon and avocado omelet will somehow taste even better with the holiday behind it, and the traditionally quick and friendly service comes free. Check these people out at (858) 454-8409 or cottagelajolla.com. So there you have a few choices for Easter dining 2016. Chances may be you already have reservations on this reservation-intensive day – if not, maybe we’ve given you some things to think about, and we hope it’s not too late to get your foot in the door. The weather may not be cooperating with the prognosticators, but the eateries will surely put their un-stormiest faces forward.
